BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - It's been three months since skeletal remains were found on the Oxmoor Valley golf course, and investigators say they are no closer today than they were then of knowing who was killed there, and why.

People riding all-terrain vehicles discovered the remains on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012. The bones were found at the farthest end of the golf course, near the woods line. The ATV riders first spotted a human skull. Moments later they found two more bones, and called police.

Investigators spent two days collecting the bones. Harris said the body's torso was found by the creek. It appears the body had been set on fire, and there was also evidence of blunt force trauma. "It was clearly a murder,'' Harris said.

Detectives don't know exactly when the slaying happened, but said the people who made the discovery ride out there often and had last been there just a month earlier. "They said they would have noticed it if it had been there then,'' Harris said. "They saw burn marks like there had been a campfire."

The remains are that of a male, but they haven't been able to determine race or age. The victim had a plate in his left hip, and may have been missing some teeth prior to being killed.

Police said they were able to collect some evidence from the crime scene, but before they can go any further, they must identify the victim. "We've sent some of his teeth off to see if maybe he had been in prison and had dental work done,'' Harris said. "It's a shot in the dark, but it's all we have."

Investigators have canvassed the area, which is mainly woods. They did speak to residents of the closest neighborhood and they told police they believed people had been living out there in the woods, but didn't have any details to provide.

Harris said he had missing persons reports from all surrounding areas forwarded to him, but so far he hasn't been able to find a match. "The hip surgery is what sets it apart,'' he said.

"It's beyond frustrating not knowing who your victim is. You can't even get started,'' Harris said. "There's got to be a family member who hasn't talked to someone in a while."

Police are asking for the public's help in identifying the victim. If anyone knows anything about the case, or is missing a loved one that matches the medical description of this man, they are asked to call Birmingham homicide detectives at 254-1764 or Crimestoppers at 254-7777.